Grace offers pardon. Religion only parole

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7v12 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18v21-22 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?" Matthew 5v46

Grace is different from religion. So very different. Grace gives us what we don't deserve. Religion doles out what we do deserve and continues to hold judgement over us. Its easy to point out one anothers faults and even to make a profession of counting them up into a grand summary of another person's worth or value. Jesus and the new life He purchased for sinners is so very different, He loved and sacrificed for us inspite of our unworthiness. Whats more by full Justification for sin in the High court room of heaven for all those redeemed, He continues to count not sins against those who have received His salvation gift, but instead forever declares over us the verdict of 'Not guilty!' Grace doesn't just leave us on parole, with a black cloud of ongoing suspicion or coldness hanging over us. No, Grace is what God is. Grace offers pardon, uncompromised love. The parable of the unmerciful servant is a stark reminder that religion and mean spiritedness can happily accept pardon and enjoy the benefits and relief of getting off 'Scott free', but leave us short of the same attitude and love in response to others failures and debts. This should not be. JS

Good News

Thought for today: The Gospel is such Good News for those who know they are powerless to achieve right standing with God and the life that God gives, without His saving and enabling Grace. The Gospel does not sound like Good News to the self-made and self-absorbed man who is busy building his own right standing and the life that he himself builds, and sees no need for this talk of saving or enabling Grace. The reason the Gospel is such Good News is because of the cross and resurrection. Christ accomplished a perfect sacrifice for sin that leads to the life that only God can give in His Kingdom. This is such Good news for the poor, the powerless, the disenfranchised but especially for those who are humbled to understand their plight outside of Christ. Thank God for the Good News! JS